• IMAM KHOMEINI AND THE PERPETUATION OF THE CHALLENGE (1350-1356=1971-77)
During the second half of the year 1350 the disputes between the Baathist Regime of Iraq and the Shah climaxed, and ended in expulsion and homelessness of many Iranians residing in Iraq. In a cable to the President of Iraq, Imam Khomeini harshly condemned the action of the Iraqi Regime. In protest to the emergent conditions, Imam Khomeini decided to leave Iraq, but the rulers of this country who were aware of what would happen if the Imam migrated, did not let him leave.
On the other hand, coincidental, with the increase in oil production and prices from the year 1350 on, the Shah felt stronger and so, the suppression of the opposition was accelerated, and the Regime of Iran madly began to buy American military equipment and consumer goods; to build military bases in the Country for Americans; also to increase commercial and military ties with Israel. The fabulous and unprecedented festival, celebrating the 2500 year (28) anniversary of Iranian monarchy, in the presence of heads of many states, and its enormous cost charged to the Nation, was a Show of power and stability of the Shah’s Regime. In numerous messages Imam Khomeini condemend the imposed celebrations, revealing the retardedness of the country and the bitter facts of life, ruling over the Iranian Society.

During the 4th Arab-Israel war, while the Shah was considered as Israel’s powerful support, Imam Khomeini in a Message (Aban, 1352=Nov. 1973) asked the Iranian Nation to rise against the aggression of the Zionist Regime. In this message it was decreed that moral and material aid by Muslim nations to Palestinian fighters, is incumbent on all, and donating blood, medicine, arms and food staples, was also decreed. In another message, Imam Khomeini emphasized: “The Islamic Nation, will not have a cheerful and restful day, unless it can first uproot the corruption cancer (Israel), and Iran will not have a day of liberty as long as this shameful dynasty (Pahlavi) remains in power.”
By the end of Esfand 1353, the Shah, by forming his court party, the Rastakhiz, and setting up a one-party system, heightened his autocracy and proclaimed in a T.V. Speech, that the entire nation must become members of this Party, and those opposed, may get their passport and leave the country. In a decree, Imam Khomeini very soon declared: “In view of the opposition of this Party to Islam and to the interests of the Islamic nation of Iran, participation in it, and giving aid to cruelty and oppression of the Muslims is hereby interdicted on the entire nation and opposition to it, is one of the most evident instances of interdicting the eviL” The Imam Khomeini’s decree and that of other Ulema of Islam was effective. The Shah’s regime, inspite of massive propaganda, formally declared the defeat of the Rastakhiz Party after several years, and dissolved the said party. In that message Imam Khomeini had said: “Here in this corner of isolation, I am tormented by the woeful Conditions of the Iranian Nation. How good it would be, if I could be with them in these sensitive circumstances and cooperate in their holy challenges to save Islam and Iran!”

On the annirersary day of the 15th Khordad in the year 1354, the Qum Faiziyya School was once again witnessing the uprising of the student clergies (the talaba). The cries of “Praise unto Khomeini and death to the Pahlavi dynasty”, continued for two days. The guerrilla or partisan organizations had already been disbanded and the challenging religious and political personalities were prisoned by the Regime. This revolutionary move cost the Shah and his Savak dearly. Police agents put seige to Faiziya school and, in a cruel attack beat up the student clergies and arrested all protestors and sent them to jail. But, on this occasion Imam Khomeini gave tidings: “In spite of all calamities, the wakefulness of the Iranian nation inspires hope. The opposition of the universities, everywhere in the country, as acknowledged by the Shah, the opposition of the grand Ulema, of the student class and of the various strata of our population, all make up a herald to our liberty and riddance from the bonds of colonialism.”
Imam wrote in a message dated 2nd Mehr, 1354, to the Annual Congress of the islamic Societies of the U.S.A. and Canada: “What gives me hope, toward the end of my life, is this wakefulness and alertness of the young generation, and the movement of the intellectuals which is rapidly growing and, God willing; will result in severing the hands of the foreigners and expanding Islamic justice.”
In the month of Esfand, 1354 (=Februaiy 1975), the Shah, in continuation of his anti-religious policy, shamefully altered the official calendar of the country, from its base, in (Hejira) migration of the holy Prophet, to the start of the Achaemenid rule. But in a sharp and vehement reaction, Imam Khomeini interdicted the use of the baseless calendar year of Achaemenid. Like the ban on the Rastakhiz Party, the ban on the use of this calendar by Imam Khomeini, was well received by people and both incidences were regarded as disgrace for the Shah’s Regime who, in 1357, was compelled to cancel the Shahinshahi calendar date.
The signing of the Algeria Agreement in 1975 between the Shah and Saddam Hosein (Iraqi vice President at the time), put a temporary end, for a short time, to the disputes between the two regimes. At that time the Continuation of the disputes between Baghdad and Tehran was considered harmful to the stability that America wanted in the Persian Gulf. Therefore accord was gained by the intercession of the Algerian President and Anwar Sadat, the Shah’s sincere friend. Fellowahip between the rulers of Baghdad and Tehran, meant harder conditions in the path of Imam Khomeini’s challenge, but none of these obstacles could dissuade the Imam from the crusade (jihad) he had undertaken. About this time, the Iranian Ambasador in Baghdad, had written to government authorities in Tehran: “Ayatullah Khomeini is not sitting idle in Iraq, and severely acts against the Regime. Please issue instructions so that our task can be cleared.” Angry at this, the Shah had written: “I said several times, -Put Out this voice!” Little did the Shah know that, divine destiny had designed a different mission for Imam Khomeini, (They seek to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light.) (29)
In 1355 (1976), the Democrats got into the White House. The Shah’s financial assistance to the Republicans had not helped them in the elections. Jimmy Carter had won using the mottos of the human rights and reduction of arms export. These mottos and slogans were meant to prevent development of Anti-American sentiments in countries like Iran, and to provide cover for the economic depression within America, and to place more pressure on (former) Soviet Union for ceding concessions in neuclear arms control (SALT) negotiations. In the wake of the policies of the American Democrat Party, the Shah of Iran, declared the “open political atmosphere” and effected surface change, shifting several key position holders. American policies with respect to Iran, drawn up by U.S. Foreign Ministry, and the C.I.A., and sent to American Embassy in Tehran, were later published with the collection of documents in the U.S. spy Den, indicate that no change was made in the all-inclusive American support procedure for the Shah. As before, the Democrats considered the Shah the essential factor for protection of American interests in the Persian Gulf Area, and for this reason Iran was exempted from limitation on American arms export. The trip of Carter and his wife to Tehran, and his utterances in favor of White House’s unconditional support of the Shah indicated that the Open Political Atmosphere was a transient show.